To compare the visual field and retinal nerve fiber layer of scleral buckling (SB) and primary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for treatment of simple rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

We studied 20 eyes with RRD that were underwent successful surgical reattachment. Visual field test and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements were performed in patients, and outcomes were compared not only between the operated eye and fellow eye, but also between SB and PPV 3 months postoperatively.

After the operation, PSD and MD were higher in the operated eye than in the fellow eye ( p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). RNFL thickness was lower in the operated eye than in the fellow eye ( p < 0.001). No significant differences in BCVA were detected between SB and PPV. However, the respective differences between the operated eye and fellow eye regarding pattern standard deviation (4.0 ± 4.0, 0.7 ± 1.5), mean deviation (6.5 ± 4.6, 1.9 ± 1.9), and RNFL (8.2 ± 10.3 µm, 1.8 ± 2.7 µm) were significantly higher in PPV than in SB.

Both visual field defect and retinal nerve fiber damage are significantly larger in PPV than in SB.